Improved sander nozzle



Oct. 3, 1939.

V. L. FRANTZ IMPROVED SANDER NOZZLE Filed July 12, 1957 W2 5 M9 7 QM Z 6 w m MN Patented Oct. 3, 1939 EPA-TENT OFFICE IMPROVED SANDER NOZZLE Virgiliill Frantz," Roanoke, Va., assignor to Gra ham White Sander Corporation, Roanoke, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application July"12, 1937, Serial No, 153,249

10 Clairns'; The-inventionrelates to apparatus for sanding the wheels of locomotives of-"alltypes and has special reference to a novel' con'struction of sand trap blast "nozzle fonmovin'g sand from the trap into and through the sand" delivery pipe;

It-=is well nown-mate sanding mechanism generally includes asand" trap "receiving sand from a sand 'dome on topof thelo comotive and discharging itthrough adeliviy pip'e 'to a point l0 adjaoent the wheelswhere'thesand will fall upon therails'and' insure"trac'tion'; Ordinarily, a trap of this general" type isprovided with air blast means which will force thesand into and through the delivery pipe, other means being provided 15 for agitating' 'the sand within the entrance leg of the trap so that it cannot become clogged or solidified, and still other means'irf the nature of a'cleaning port beingprovided substantially in' line-"with the entrance 'to the delivery pipe for 2 the purpose of preventing" clogging and/or removing any accumulation of 'sand which a may have failed to pass through ata" previous operation bf' the sander.

In devices of this general class difiiculty has been "experienced on account of cloggingiof -the blast nozzle-and backingup-of san'dthereinto with great detriment to'whatever-checl;--valve means may be provided therein. Another objection is that the ordinary typefof 'blast nozzle 30 is screwed into the trapbody, the result being thatfin-the-eventof removal ofrthernozzle for repairs" or-other purposesfand' ;sub sequent" replacement thereof, sand may collect in the screw threads and interfere seriously with replacement. It is-with the above facts in-viewthat I havedevised-the present inventionwhich has for its principal object theprovision' of a novel double valve sander, that is to say a sand trap in which the blast nozzle contains two simultaneously movable Valves so constructed and arrangedthat backing up of sand through the nozzle will be positively prevented, one of the valves constituting a check and automatically closing when the compressed air supply to' thesander is cut 01f, thereby excluding sand from the other valve, its seat and the necessary operating spring.

Another" imp'drt'ant objector the invention" is t6 provide a sand-trap inwliich' the" blast" nozzle is'assembled by a slidable movement with respect thereto instead of the'fus'ualscievving this featurenot only "facilitating assembly and/or disassembly" but'also' rendering the device free from the deleterious effects occasionedby access of sand toany' screw threads 'as' above mentioned. A further objct-is 'td provide asandtrap-and blast nozzle in which the fluid pressure supply pipe may be connected to the blast nozzle in alternative positions or at different points depending'upon the exigenciesof the particular installation.

Another'important advantage is to provide a momentary preliminary cleanout v blast of fluid pressure through the sander nozzle to dislodge and blow out of said nozzle any 'dirt or "scale that may have accumulated from the fluid. pressure line to said nozzle, theobjectibein g to clear thesaid nozzle of any obstruction'that would otherwise make it inop erative An additional object'isto providea-fiv ice of this character which will be simple land'inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, positive in action,-eflicient and durable iii service, and a general improvement in'the art.

T Io th attainment of the foregoing and other w objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination'bf parts tobe hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the'accompanyin'g drawing in which? I.

Figure 1' is a longitudinal sectional View through a" sand trap embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation'of the outermost valve m mb r-1 Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I designates, generally, the sander bodywhich is ordinarily constructed as a single casting and which includes a main or interm'ediat'e'chamber 2', an inlet leg 3 and a delivery leg' l -with which is connected' a pipe'"5 which 3? leads to apositionadjacent thelo comotive wheels and the rails, for instance as'indicat'ed in' Patent No."1,263,722 granted to William H; White or in numerous other patents which might be m'entionedif necessary The end of the body 46 adjacent the delivery oroutlet leg 4 has an'opening 5 normally closed by a plug '1 which may be removed-in case it is'necessary to 'clean out any sand whiclrmight conceivably become frozen. Theother end portion of the body is formedwith 45 clean-out openings 8 and 9 normally 'closedby plugs l0 and II, respectively.

7 Formed-in the upper portion of the wall of the trap body is a longitudinally extending passage l2communicating' at-oneendwith a'nipple" I3 which receives a compressed 'air'conducting pipe M leading from whatever control valve is provided in the cab of a locomotive for operation by the engineer. This passage l2 extends upwardly along'a part of the wall of the sand inlet leg 3 at which point it is customary to locate a delivery jet or agitating pipe I5 provided with any desired number of perforations I6 and which is intended to have its upper end closed. In the present instance this pipe or jet device is shown as broken off to indicate indeterminate length. Adjacent the inlet end of the cleaning pipe I4 the upper wall portion of the trap body is formed with a cleaning port I2a located substantially opposite the center line of the delivery pipe 5 and which is for the purpose of delivering a preliminary blast of air to the entrance end of the pipe 5 for cleaning out any accumulation of sand which may remain after a previous operation of the entire mechanism. It should of course be understood that the sand inlet leg 3 may have any desired connection with a pipe leading from the usual sand dome, though this detail is not illustrated in the present case inasmuch as it may conveniently be of the same construction disclosed in the Virgil L. Frantz et al. Patent No. 1,864,057. Up to this point there is nothing novel in the construction of the device.

My invention consists in the provision of a novel valve controlled inlet blast mechanism located at the end of the trap oppositethat one equipped with the delivery leg, this blast device being located between the openings 8 and 9. This device is disclosed as comprising a cylindrical body I! extending through an opening I8 in the end of the trap and carrying a tubular nozzle I9 preferably projecting an appreciable distance into the central chamber 2 of the trap and arranged in substantially parallel relation to the bottom thereof. The cylindrical body is formed interiorly with valve seats 20 and 2! beyond the latter of which is a chamber 22 having openings 23 and 24 communicating therewith and within a selected one of which is connected a compressed air supply pipe 25 leading from whatever engineer's valve is provided in the locomotive cab. This valve is not shown but it could be as illustrated in Patent No. 1,521,799 granted to W. H. White or similar to the one disclosed in Patent No. 1,581,546 to W. L. Ranson. Other types could of course be used if preferred. Whichever one of the openings 23 or 24 is not occupied by the pipe 25 is closed by a removable plug 26. Located within the body I! are oppositely arranged valves 2'! and 28 connected by a longitudinally slidable stem 29 and adapted for cooperation with the valve seats 20 and 2|, respectively. A spring 30 surrounds this stem and abuts against the valve 28 and against a shoulder 3| adjacent the valve seat 20. The function of the spring is to hold the valve 21 normally closed. Either or both of the valves may be screwed onto the stem 29 and either or both may be provided with transverse grooves 32 for engagement by an appropriate tool so that the tension of the spring 3!) may be adjusted. If such a groove 32 is provided in the outer valve 28 it is clear that adjustment may be effected from the outside of the trap upon removal of the plug 26. The valve 28 is also formed with a relatively small port 33 extending therethrough.

In the operation of the device it will be seen that the sand passes from the sand dome into the inlet leg 3 but remains in the trap body owing to the fact that the bottom wall thereof slopes upwardly toward the delivery leg 4. This inclined wall preferably terminates in an additional rise or projection 34 adjacent the delivery leg so that the sand cannot jar out at unexpected times and be supplied to the delivery pipe 5 simply as the result of locomotive travel. When the usual or any preferred control valve is operated a preliminary blast of air passes through the pipe l4 and into the passage I2 as well as through the port I2a. Air issuing from the port I20. acts to clear out the delivery pipe 5 and the leg 4 to which it is connected. Air pressure within the passage I2 passes out through the openings I8 in the agitating pipe or delivery jet I5 and loosens up the sand in the inlet leg 3. When air pressure is fed through the pipe 25 either simultaneously with its feeding to the pipe I4, or subsequently thereto, the air entering the chamber 22 will pass around the normally open valve 28 and will force the valve 2'! open against the resistance of the spring 38. The unseating of the valve 2! enables the air to pass through the nozzle I9 and along the main chamber I of the trap, the sand therein being consequently effectually forced out to and through the delivery pipe 5 and being applied to the rails. As the valve 21 opens the valve 28 closes against its seat 2! sothat the initial high pressure blast through the nozzle I9 will be of short duration. However, owing to the provision of the port 33 it is clear that the sanding operation will continue even after the valve 28 is closed though the volume of air passing into the trap is reduced. The instant that air pressure is relieved within the chamber 22, that is to say when the supply through the pipe 25 is out off, the spring 38 will operate to close the valve 21 and open the valve 28, the former thereby positively cutting off communication between the trap and the interior of the blast device so that sand cannot blow back and cause any damage to this mechanism.

Another feature of the invention that should be stressed is the manner of mounting the blast nozzle device. Instead of the cylindrical body l1 being screwed into the opening I8 it has simply a sliding fit and securing is effected by means of a collar or nut screwed onto the nipple 3B surrounding the opening I8, the nut having a flange overlying the end of the nipple, and packing 31 being interposed between the outer end of the nipple and the flange of the collar or nut. The packing may be of soft or semi-soft material or it can be formed as a split metallic ring which contracts and holds the nozzle body or tubular extension thereof in place, it being observed that the outer end of the nipple and the flange of the nut have opposed inclined surfaces which will exert a wedging action on the packing for contracting it or forcing it into compressing engagement with the nozzle body. By this arrangement it can be seen that by unscrewing the nut or collar the blast nozzle device may be withdrawn, if for any reason such is desired, and can be readily reinserted and secured while at the same time there are no internal threads to become clogged with sand as would occur with the ordinary construction.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawing it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simply constructed and therefore inexpensive blast nozzle device for sanders in which provision has been made to accomplish all the purposes for which it is intended and which on account of its automatic check valve feature will be thoroughly protected against damage as the result of sand blowing back. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be understood by one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, itshould be understood that -'-the disclosure ismerely an exempliflcation of the principles involved as the rightis reserved tomake all such changes in the "frOmLthespir-it of the-invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. Imasanding-device having a body including an inlet leg and a delivery-leg and further having-anopening-therein, a blast device mounted within said opening and connected with a source of fluid pressure, said blast device including a pair of oppositely disposed valves connected for simultaneous movement in response to fluid pressure entering the blast device, one of said valves being normally seated to prevent the entrance of material from the body into the blast device.

2. In a sand trap having an inlet leg and a delivery leg and further having an opening therein, a blast device mounted within said opening and connected with a source of fluid pressure, said blast device including a nozzle having operatively associated therewith outer and inner valves connected for simultaneous movement, the inner valve being normally closed and opening in response to the admission of fluid pressure to the blast device, and the outer valve being normally open and closing upon the admission of fluid pressure, said outer valve having a port for permitting fluid under pressure to pass through when said outer valve is closed.

3. In a sand trap having an inlet leg and a delivery leg and further having an opening therein, a blast device mounted within said opening, a fluid pressure supply pipe connected with said blast device, said blast device having a single outlet to the interior of said sand trap, outer and inner oppositely disposed valves operatively associated with said outlet, the former of which is normally open and the latter of which is normally closed whereby the latter will open in response to the admission of fluid pressure to the blast de- I vice to permit the introduction within the trap of a blast under high pressure until said outer valve closes, said outer valve being ported to permit passage of a reduced volume of fluid pressure when closed.

4. A sand trap formed as a body having a sand inlet leg and having one end provided with a sand delivery leg, said body having an opening adjacent one end thereof, and a blast device mounted within said opening and formed interiorly with spaced oppositely disposed valve seats, a fluid pressure supply pipe connected with said blast device, a nozzle forming part of the blast device projecting into the trap body, outer and inner valves for cooperation with said seats, means connecting said valves for simultaneous movement, and spring means cooperating with said valves for normally maintaining the inner valve closed to prevent sand from entering therethrough from said nozzle, said inner valve opening in response to the admission of fluid pressure to the blast device and said outer valve simultaneously closing, said outer valve having a port therethrough to permit passage of fluid pressure to the nozzle even when it is closed.

5. A sand trap formed as a body having a sand inlet leg and having one end provided with a sand delivery leg,said bodyhaving an opening adjacent one end thereof, and a blast device mounted within said opening and formed interiorly with spaced oppositelyzdisposedvalve seats, a fluid pressure "supply pipe connected with said blast device, v anozzle connected to the'blast device projecting into the trap body, outer and inner valves for cooperation with said seats, means for operatively connecting'said valves for simultaneous moverm'ent,spring means cooperating with said valves for normally maintaining the inner Valve closed to preventsandfrom passing therethrough from said nozzle, said inner valve opening in response to the' admission of fluid pressure to the blast device and'said outer valve'being adapted to engage its seat'when said inner valve is fully open, means whereby a-reduced flow of fluid to said nozzle is obtained when said outer valve is seated, and means for varying the pressure exerted by said spring means.

6. In a sanding device including a body having an inlet leg and a delivery leg and further having an opening therein, a blast device mounted within said opening and connected with a source of fluid pressure, said blast device including outer and inner oppositely disposed valves connected for simultaneous movement in response to fluid pressure entering the blast device, said inner valve being normally seated to prevent the entrance of material from the body into the blast device, and means whereby a reduced flow of fluid to said nozzle is obtained when said outer valve is seated.

7. A sand trap formed as a body having a sand inlet leg and having adjacent the other end thereof a sand delivery leg, said body having an opening below said sand inlet leg, said opening being surrounded by a threaded nipple, a blast device having portions thereof slidable within said opening, said device comprising a chamber having openings for the connection of a fluid pressure supply pipe, a nozzle connected to said chamber and extending within said sand trap, oppositely disposed valve seats interposed between said chamber and said nozzle, outer and inner valves for cooperation with said valve seats, means for operatively connecting said valves for simultaneous movement, spring means cooperating with said valves for normally maintaining the inner valve closed to prevent the passage of sand into said chamber, said inner valve opening in response to the admission of fluid pressure to the chamber, said outer valve being adapted to engage its seat when said inner valve is fully open, said outer valve being ported to permit the passage of fluid therethrough to said nozzle when said outer valve is seated, means for varying the pressure exerted by said spring means, and means whereby the relative position of said nozzle with reference to said trap may be varied, said means comprising a nut screwed onto said nipple and having a flange overlying the end of the nipple, and packing means located between the end of the nipple and said flange for compressingly engaging said blast device.

8. In a. sanding device, a sand trap having an outlet leg and an inlet leg adjacent the opposite ends thereof, an opening between said legs, a blast device mounted in said opening and having a nozzle extending into said trap and directed toward said outlet leg, said blast device being connected with a source of fluid pressure and in cluding a pair of oppositely disposed valves adapted to control the flow of fluid to said nozzle.

9. A sand trap comprising a body portion, a sand inlet leg at one end of said body, an outlet leg adjacent the opposite end of said body, an opening into said body intermediate said legs, a nozzle slidably and adjustably mounted within said opening, a source of fluid pressure connected to said nozzle, and valve means interposed between said nozzle and said source, said valve means comprising a plurality of valve members connected to operate in unison, one of said valve members normally engaging a seat therefor to cut off communication between said sand trap and said source of fluid pressure.

10. A sand trap comprising a body portion, a sand inlet leg at one end of said body, an outlet leg adjacent the opposite end of said body, an opening into said body intermediate said legs, a nozzle slidably and adjustably mounted within said opening, a source of fluid pressure connected to said nozzle, and valve means interposed between said nozzle and said source, said valve means comprising a plurality of valve members connected to operate in unison,.one of said valve members normally engaging a seat therefor to cut off communication between said sand trap and said source of fluid pressure, said other valve member being adapted to move into engagement with a seat thereforunder fluid pressure, said last named valve when seated being adapted to limit the flow of fluid through the valve seat of said first named valve.

VIRGIL L. FRANTZ. 

